DURHAM – As a true freshman for the University of New Hampshire football team, Prince Smith Jr. was a key contributor on defense last season.

He could be asked to do even more this year.

The sophomore cornerback and CAA defensive rookie of the year in 2016 is a leading candidate to fill the slot vacated by former All-American and boundary corner Casey DeAndrade, who is one of the most decorated defensive backs in the program’s history.

“Prince came back in great shape,” said head coach Sean McDonnell. “A lot is going to be expected of him. A lot is going to fall on him.”

DURHAM — Junior Trevor Knight, who picked up his game as the University of New Hampshire’s starting quarterback as last season went on, is picking up where he left off in this year’s preseason camp.

“Trevor’s been really manufacturing some consistency,” said Wildcat offensive coordinator Ryan Carty. “His completion percentage is outstanding. He’s moving his feet in the pocket and staying in the pocket and doing a real nice job with that, and then when he gets out of the pocket he’s doing what he’s always done well, which is create some plays.”

Knight, a former standout at Nashua South High School who shared quarterback duties with senior Adam Riese at times last year, is the clear No. 1 at the position as the midway point of camp nears and the season opener against Maine awaits in less than three weeks.

...DURHAM --- There are currently two New Hampshire residents penciled in as starters on the University of New Hampshire’s offensive line. That number could grow to three at some point, perhaps even before UNH’s opens its season Aug. 31 against Maine.

Bedford’s Will McInerny is a projected starter at one of the tackle spots, Amherst’s Jake Kennedy is at the top of the depth chart at center and Derry resident Noah Robison is among those competing to earn a starting job as well.

Robison, who played at Pinkerton Academy, had to sit out last season per NCAA rules after he transferred to UNH from Coastal Carolina. Although he’s a junior academically, Robison has three years of athletic eligibility remaining.

DURHAM — Last year, they led the country at their level – the FCS – in touchdowns scored by the defense.

Six defensive players scored seven touchdowns on defense for the University of New Hampshire football team last year and six of those players are back and in the lineup again for the Wildcats, helping to form the core of a still-young, yet experienced, defensive group.

The defense returns seven starters overall. Two of those starters – cornerback Prince Smith, Jr. and safety Pop Lacey – were in the unusual position of playing as true freshman last year.

DURHAM – For most of camp, the defense has been on top for the University of New Hampshire football team. During Tuesday’s Blue-White scrimmage, however, the offense stepped up its game.

“I thought we executed on the offensive side of the ball better than we have most of camp, to be honest with you,” UNH Coach Sean McDonnell said. “I was disappointed defensively that we didn’t run to the football the way we’re capable of running to the football. That’s something we can correct. I thought some of our skill guys did a nice job catching the ball in open spaces and we did some good things running with the ball.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do between now and next Thursday (the season opener against Maine), but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”